Plan to build 'transitional homes' for young people in Nechells car park
A plan has been submitted to build new homes on a car park owned by Barnardo’s in Nechells. The proposal is for a cluster of four, one bedroomed homes for young people who have just left care and are not yet ready to live independently.
There would also be a two-bedroom staff house providing 24/7 assistance on the Rupert Street site, close to the A47 Nechells Parkway. The land is currently vacant and 'underutilised', a report said.
A planning application document said: "The design proposal intends to revitalise a currently largely underutilised car park within the applicant’s larger ownership boundary, to construct much needed new housing, to address the chronic shortage of suitable housing for young care leavers, by Barnardo’s Gap Homes.
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"Barnardo’s Gap Homes will utilise these new properties for young people leaving care and act as a stepping-stone for them to progress into independent living accommodation. Gap Homes is an ambitious and innovative programme, established in response to the chronic shortage of suitable housing for young people leaving care, and other vulnerable groups.
"Inadequate accommodation undermines young people’s development and progress and reduces the impact of any support provided. Barnardo’s is committed to a programmes of Gap Homes projects across the UK and have identified this gap site as suitable given its predominantly residential setting and proximity to the existing Barnardo’s facility and with the addition of the staff home the facility will have 24/7 staff management and availability for the young persons that may stay here.
"We hope the local authority planning department and key consultees will see the benefit this proposal can bring to this site and the young people who will benefit from using it."
The plan will go before city planners in the near future.